Alice entered the kitchen to pour a glass of water and saw Mikael cooking. ''Good morning.''
''Good morning. How is… how is your sister? I saw the room light on last night.'' Mikael turned to her and asked.
''Yeah, she just had an episode but, she is fine. She fell asleep early this morning.''
''I see.''
Alice drunk the water and poured some into the glass again and was about to go out when she heard Mikael calling her.
''Alice.''
''Yes?''
''I didn't know about Natalie's condition. I was just…''
''I know, I was just frustrated last night and needed an outlet to vent my frustrations. Natalie is strong and she will pull through. None of it is your fault. She loved her job but those people just had to go there and make things hard for her. First, it was me and now my sister. But, you know what Mikael? I can take it when they bully me and try to cut me off from the industry but Natalie is my bottom line. I will never forgive those people for what they did to her.''
''Don't forgive them. Things are going to change now that I am here. Whatever my brother was doing, I will continue with it.''
Alice smiled and thought for a moment before saying. ''Mikael, I have to go to the company later on and Xia is kind of busy. I don't want to leave my sister all alone at home.''
Since Mikael was showing signs of remorse, she wanted to give him the chance to make up.
''I don't have much going on at the company. I will look after Natalie. You can go and settle your matters.''
''Thanks. I received a text from my CEO this morning. It seems it has to do with what happened. I got into a little…''
''Do you need my help?''
Alice shook her head. ''No, I can handle it. I will just get scolded is all.''
''I will do everything my brother used to do for you. I know I'm not exactly the type you can trust, but, I will protect you and your sister. I won't allow anyone to bully you two again.''
Alice chuckled. ''You sound just like Thomas right now. If you really mean it, then, I will have to thank you in advance.''
Alice turned to the door and saw Natalie standing in front of them. ''Sis?'' Alice quickly went closer to her.
"What are you doing out here? I thought you were asleep?''
Mikael looked at Natalie's sickly body and asked worried. ''Why did you come out? The weather is cold''
When he said that Natalie stared at him shocked. She blinked her eyes and seemed confused by his sudden change of behaviour.
''Sis, do you need anything?''
Natalie looked at the food in the pan and licked her lips saying softly, ''I'm hungry.''
''Oh. Wait a little way I will order something for you.''
''You can have some of what I prepared. Actually, I was making this for you three.'' Mikael said and the two ladies turned to look at him surprised. ''I didn't poison it. If that's what you are scared of.'' He said when he saw their faces.
''Not that. Natalia can't eat carbs.''
''I know. I prepared steak for her. She can have all the steak. You and I will eat the rice.''
''You…know?'' Natalie asked looking at him.
''My mom told me and your little sister screamed so much at me last night, how could I forget all that you said?'' Mikael said.
''You screamed at him?'' Natalie asked as Alice helped her to sit on the kitchen high chair.
''I was just frustrated and needed someone to vent on''
Mikael dished the food out and placed them in front of each one. He joined them on the table that acted as a dining table. ''I made enough for three people''
''Oh? What happened to you Mikael? You look like a different person right now'' Alice teased.
''I can be nice if I want to, okay?'' Mikael watched as Alice cut the steak into pieces and asked, ''is it too hard?''
''I'm just afraid my sister will not be able to eat comfortably. Nat, I asked Mikael to stay with you while I rush to the company and come.''
''You don't have to do that for me. I'd be fine alone.''
''I'm not going anywhere.''
''I don't want to inconvenience you.''
''I won't hurt you if that's what you're afraid of. My conscience is not that dead you know? I will be here if you need anything. You are so skinny, I'm afraid you might fall if there is no one here to look out for you.''
''Sis, just let him be there for you. Mikael is not as bad as we thought.''
Natalia looked at him and ate her food quietly.
An hour later, Alice walked down from the stairs and spoke to Niania in the hall with Natalie. ''Niania, is the car ready?'' she was already dressed for her outing.
''Yes'' Niania stood up and picked her handbag.
''Sis, I won't be gone for long. If you need anything, call Mikael, okay? Oh, I borrowed this from your closet. You don't mind, right?''
''You can take all of them back to your place. I already told you I don't go out much.'' Natalie told her.
''Then, I will see you later. Bye!'' Alice kissed Natalie's cheek before going out with Niania.
''Bye!'' Natalie heard a familiar voice after Alice left the villa. She turned and saw Mikael at the stairs making a call.
''Alright, send it to my email and cancel all my meetings for the next two days. Don't receive any acting gigs on my behalf for the meantime. I have a lot of work to do at the company first'' Mikael finished and hung up. He walked to the hall and saw Natalie trying to stand up.
''No, just relax on the sofa. I just wanted to know how you're doing? How are you feeling?'' He asked her.
''I'm fine. Thanks for the meal''
''Give me some credit, I'm not that heartless.'' Mikael said and Natalie smiled weakly. His phone vibrated again and he looked at Natalia before getting up to answer it.
''Hello, what did you find? Okay. Forward what you have to my email and go to Empire Entertainment. I want to know whatever happens to Alice there.''
When Natalie heard her sister's name she became curious and looked at Mikael questionably as he continued with his call.
''Yes. Thanks, Secretary He.''
Mikael hung up and turned to see Natalia watching him questionably and he said to her. I heard the CEO doesn't like Alice that much and wants her to apologise to Eunice Gardener for what happened.''
''What? She was the one who bullied Alice and she wants an apology? Why are these people always selfish and extreme?''
''I already promised Alice this morning that I will protect you two and I mean it. Natalie, I know you don't trust me and we started on the wrong foot, but, I want to help you and Alice. I mean it.''
''Why? Why are you suddenly acting this way? You hate me? You said I killed your brother? What exactly are you planning to do to me and my sister?'' Natalie asked as she looked at him suspiciously. She couldn't forget how he treated her from the beginning.
''Nothing. I just want to help.''
''Because you feel pity for me? You suddenly saw me like this and you think my life is such a pity and you want to help us? Do you think I will believe that?''
''No. I'm not doing this because I pity you. I'm doing this because my brother would have done the same thing for you and your sister. Trust me, I am not a good man and I certainly do not do things out of pity. Our living conditions still stand, but, I can't sit and watch someone bully you just because my brother is no more''
''So, this is your sense of duty then? You're doing this just because of Thomas?''
''Thomas is not a 'just' for me and you know that''
''Do whatever you want, but, if this is all part of your bigger plan to take revenge because you think I have a hand in your brother's death, I won't sit back and watch you hurt me especially my sister. Alice is still young and naïve. She easily forgives and trust people and I'm sure she trusts you but is different with me. The way you treated me so far makes it hard for me to believe whatever you're saying. Mikael, I just hope you're sincere this time''
''Whether I'm sincere or not, why don't you watch how I change things around from now on?''
''Listen, I know I'm being harsh but I just can't shake the feeling that you're doing this because you just found out I'm a sick woman. I have my doubts about you, but I hope you can prove me wrong with your actions''
''No problem.'' Natalia's phone buzzed and she answered immediately.